“Preston put us under great pressure and their experienced players used all their knowledge to put us on our toes but we needed a performance like that to bounce back from the defeat at Reading,” said Martinez.
“They created more chances than any other team we have played against all season – and that is all credit to them – but I have to give my side the plaudits too because they have learnt harsh lessons from the weekend and have come back stronger here tonight.
“It was vital we won this evening because we have lost too many points without deserving to already this season. When you are newly promoted into a different level, confidence-wise you need to build on the results.
“But looking back, we never got the points we deserved against Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday so this one was possibly coming and to take away three points proves the character and strength we have in that dressing room.”